The video for the latest Lykke Li single "Breaking it up" is on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXmQiGHbz5o
The long-awaited Förmögenhet tribute album "Har du hört den förut? 29 svenska artister tolkar Förmögenhet" is finally confirmed for an August release. Go here for preorder info and mp3 samples: http://www.diskretforlag.com/formogenhet.html
Minimal Signals talks to Gbg-based experimental artist Jasper TX: http://mnmlssg.blogspot.com/2008/07/mnml-ssgs-mx08-jasper-tx.html
Alibi Tom's new video for the song "Fire" is now online: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DYV7g3q-Z0
As In RebekkaMaria will play the Borderline in London on August 12 with support from Tez (Cocorosie) and Jojo DJ Team.
MP3: Park Hotell - Dead ringers
Fridays are typically reserved for old music, but I was handed a brand new mp3 from Park Hotell yesterday afternoon and it's too good not to share. The band has a new album on the way and "Dead ringers" is the first taste of what's to come and I have to say that it's got me excited. No more synths, no more shoegazer vibes, just organic indie rock'n'roll. I definitely get a Manchester/Britpop vibe on this too and while that's not something that normally appeals to me, I fully back Park Hotell's take on it because they make it their own. Maybe it's the influence of producer Jari Haapalainen, but I'd say this has more in common with Laakso than The Smiths, though the latter is certainly a good reference point. I also hear echoes of peak-era Swedish indie such as Eggstone or The Wannadies, the sort of stuff that defined the scene back in the 90s and is rarely emulated today.
"Dead ringers" features aforementioned producer extraordinaire Jari Haapalainen on drums and fellow Swedes/sister duo Taxi, Taxi! on backup vocals. Look for the new (as yet unnamed?) album to be released this fall via BD Pop/Ultra Radio Records.
Park Hotell - Dead ringers
Devillac
s/t
self-released
These Finns sure know how to sabotage themselves. Between the misleading name, forgettable cover art and tepid instrumental opening number, it's a miracle I even bothered to check out the rest of the album. I'm glad I did though because these dudes actually have a decent heavy fuzzrock sound once they get going. They're not idiosyncratic enough to stand out from the mediocre multitudes, but I do dig the fact that they're going for a more modern, streamlined approach as opposed to doing the tired retro/stoner thing. I've heard enough wannabees in that vein to last me a lifetime. Anyhow, I'd say that Devillac is eminently listenable and far, far better than I expected, but still totally forgettable in the end.
- Avi Roig
The Hives will be back to the US in September for a short tour with Eagles of Death Metal:
09/16 - Stubb's, Austin, TX
09/17 - House of Blues, Dallas, TX
09/19 - Marquee Theatre, Tempe, AZ
09/20 - Street Scene, San Diego, CA
09/21 - The Grove, Anaheim, CA
09/22 - Ventura Theatre, Ventura, CA
09/23 - The Warfield, San Francisco, CA
09/24 - The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA
09/25 - The Mayan, Los Angeles, CA
The Sissy Wish album "Beauties never die" has been licensed for release in Japan this coming September via Flake Records. The new version of the album will include two bonus tracks, the 7" single "Oklahoma" and a remix of "Book" by Halfby. Preview the latter here: http://www.myspace.com/halfby
This week's top 20 Norwegian album chart:
01. Kurt Nilsen - Rise To The Occasion
02. Espen Lind - Army of one
03. Kathrine Moholt - Sweethearts
04. Åge Aleksandersen - Katalysator
05. Vassendgutane - Xo
06. Too Far Gone - Livåt
07. Knutsen & Ludvigsen - Dum og deilig -beste
08. Return - Best Of Both Worlds
09. Malin - Pang
10. Madrugada - Madrugada
11. Paal Flaata - Old Angel Midnight
12. Kaizers Orchestra - Maskineri
13. Ida Maria - Fortress Round My Heart
14. Svein Østvik - Kongen Av Mallorca
15. Maria Haukaas Storeng - Hold On Be Strong
16. PK & Dansefolket - 20 beste
17. Harald Heide Steen jr. - Musikalske Minner
18. Valkyrien Allstars - Valkyrien Allstars
19. Ane Brun - Changing Of The Seasons
20. Morten Harket - Letter From Egypt
This week's top 20 Swedish album chart:
01. Takida - Bury the lies
02. Patrik Isaksson - 10 år en snäll mans bekännelser
03. Nordman - Djävul eller gud
04. The Refreshments - Jukebox - Refreshing classics
05. Rongedal - Rongedal
06. Lasse Stefanz - Rallarsväng
07. Ola - Good enough - The feelgood edition
08. Lars Winnerbäck - Vi var där blixten hittade ner - Live hösten 2007
09. Miss Li - Best of 061122-071122
10. Amanda Jenssen - Killing my darlings
11. Sten & Stanley - Det känns när det svänger
12. Brolle - Ett hjärta som glöder som en gång brann
13. E.M.D. - A state of mind
14. Lisa Miskovsky - Last year's songs - Greatest hits
15. Evert Taube - Mästerverk!
16. Kleerup - Kleerup
17. Hammerfall - Rebels with a cause
18. Sanna Nielsen - Stronger
19. Veronica Maggio - Och vinnaren är...
20. Suzzie Tapper - Mirakel
Download the iPod-friendly video for the new Antennas single "Lies": http://www.novoton.se/videos/antenns_lies_ipod.m4v
It's also available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjHFfd3_1_E
Norwegian artist Marit Larsen will release her sophomore album "The chase" this coming fall with the first single "If a song could get me you" hitting radio on August 11.
Micke from Sweden (aka Micke Lohse of Atomic Swing) has confirmed that his new album "Waiting for the end" will be released on September 26 via Nordic Notes. As mentioned before, the album was produced by Janove Ottesen of Kaizers Orchestra and features guest contributions from artists such as Børge Fjordheim (Cloroform), Sjur Miljeteig (The Leather Fashion), John Lilja (Jackman, Thomas Dybdahl) and Morten Abel.
Killing the Legacy talks to Finnish hardcore act Bolt: http://killingthelegacy.blogspot.com/2008/07/interview-bolt.html